Communications Associate

About PLN
Founded on Skid Row in 1980, Para Los Niños (PLN) partners with more than 10,000 children, youth, and families each year through integrated education, wellness supports and advocacy, addressing individual and systemic barriers to create pathways to success. In addition to operating early education centers, charter elementary and middle schools, youth workforce development sites and family services, PLN is the only children’s mental health provider in the Skid Row neighborhood. In addition, PLN's community transformation work brings together community members, community-based organizations, city and county agencies, elected officials, and businesses to tackle issues that impact PLN families. Ninety-three percent of families served by PLN live in areas with the highest levels of food insecurity and homelessness in L.A. County.
Position Overview
Reporting to the Director of Communications & Marketing, the Communications Associate will support Para Los Ninos’ internal and external brand strategy to increase community engagement in PLN programs and services, leverage thought leadership to influence systems change, and inspire support from volunteers, donors, and funders. This role is responsible for supporting multi-media storytelling across all PLN communications platforms, including email, social media, website and more.
Duties

• Supports the cultivation of an editorial calendar in partnership with Communications & Marketing colleagues, offering relevant ideas and contributing to bringing those ideas to fruition.
• Supports the creation and distribution of monthly newsletters, including gathering stories and feedback across program leads and adhering to regular deadlines.
• Writes and publishes blog posts, including gathering relevant information through research, interviewing frontline staff members and program participants.
• Attends and documents program and partner events, including photography, videography and written summaries.
• Produces social media posts related to PLN programs and partners, including editing photos, reels and basic graphics.
• Produces high-quality videos for PLN’s leadership team, including scripting, scheduling, recording, editing, and publishing.
• Produces relevant programmatic podcast content, including scripting, scheduling, recording, editing and publishing.
• Supports website updates as needed, including making visual and content updates and uploading documents and media.
• Supports the fulfillment of PLN’s branded merchandise and print collateral, producing mock-ups, submitting and tracking orders, and arranging delivery.
• Organizes and maintains PLN’s media assets, including photos, videos, and graphical brand elements.
• Supports the proofing, translation, and transcription of PLN’s Communications & Marketing team collateral.
• Performs other projects and duties as directed by supervisor.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics

• High School diploma is required; bachelor's degree from an accredited college or equivalent experience preferred.
• Minimum of two years of experience in a role relevant to communications, marketing, public relations, or production.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook and SharePoint.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite applications, including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Audition and Premier Pro.
• Intermediate to expert-level skills in photography and videography, as well as photo, video, and audio editing, are required.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English are required, and we celebrate linguistic diversity, valuing the unique perspectives and strengths that multilingual team members bring to our organization.
• Travel Requirements: Up to 20% within Los Angeles County

Physical Requirements
To perform this job the individual must be able to carry out all essential functions satisfactorily.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Approximately 50% of time is spent sitting, while frequently required to walk, stand and bend.
• Must be able to speak and hear well.
• Good vision is imperative.
• Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Employee will be required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds without assistance.
• TB test clearance to be renewed every two years.
• Verification of Immunizations required by the California Department of Health (Pertussis, Measles and Influenza).

This job description does not encompass all essential functions and responsibilities. Para Los Niños reserves the right to modify or add to the typical duties of a position at any time.
Expectations for All Para Los Niños Staff
Candidates for employment at Para Los Niños, regardless of position, will consistently demonstrate the following:

• Unwavering belief in and commitment to fulfill the mission of Para Los Niños.
• Deep commitment to the success of all PLN students and families.
• Commitment to excellence and high standards -- for self, students, and colleagues.
• Continuous learning by engaging in reflection, self-assessment, and individual professional development.
• Use of data to inform decisions and drive continuous improvement.
• Ability to thrive as a member of a collaborative team.
• Self-motivation and initiative with solutions-oriented disposition.
• Belief in and ability to develop respectful relationships with families and children informed by the students’ cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to effectively handle challenging situations.
• Comfort with basic Microsoft Office applications and a curiosity and propensity to push own adoption of new technology and approaches.
• Regular, punctual attendance and professional appearance.

Para Los Niños is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
It is the established policy of Para Los Niños (PLN) to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without discrimination with regard to race, religious belief (including dress or grooming practices), color, sex, sex stereotype, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions (including breast feeding), age, national origin (including possessing a driver’s license issued under Vehicle Code § 12801.9), ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identification and expression, transgender status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristics, genetic information, family care, marital status, enrollment in any public assistance program, status as military, a veteran or qualified disabled veteran, status as an unpaid intern or volunteer, or any other classification protected by law. PLN also prohibits discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.